'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 13 Cast and Everything You Need to Know
| 12/09/20
The Premiere, the Prize, and More
It looks like RuPaul is wasting absolutely no time in starting the 2021 marathon that is RuPaul's Drag Race. So far we already know that Drag Race is returning for its 13th season, while RuPaul's Drag Race U.K. is returning for both a second and third season. Drag Race: All Stars is also expected to return for its sixth season. To get through it all in 365 days, the franchises will kick off on New Year's Day.
RuPaul's Drag Race season 13 will premiere on Friday, January 1, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The hour and a half show will feature 13 queens competing for the crown and title of "America's Next Drag Superstar," as well as a cash prize of $100,000 -- more on the queens later.
"Competing safely and fiercely, our 13 queens proved that it takes more than a global pandemic to keep a good queen down," RuPaul said in a statement. The season was reportedly filmed this summer, during the pandemic. Following the show, RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked will premiere its latest season.
"In a world full of shade, we all shine through," Ru said in a first look for the season. "Cuz girl you can not keep a good queen down."
This year boasts some history-makers in terms of performers: there's the first queen from Arkansas, the first Dominican contestant, as well as the first trans masculine contestant.
Denali
Hailing from Chicago, Denali's drag incorporates "ice skating and acrobatic elements." Ok, so a Milk meets Yvie Oddly -- love that for her. In April she celebrated two years in drag.
Elliott with 2 Ts
A Las Vegas showgirl with an 80s aesthetic, get ready for some high kicks from this professional dancer.
Gottmik
The most-followed of the new performers (over 128,000 as of Wednesday night), Gottmik makes history as the first transmasculine performer on Drag Race. The former Out cover star is a celebrity makeup artist whose work inspires fans to create looks of their own on social media.
Joey Jay
Looks like there's another dancer in the mix. This Phoenix, Arizona-based performer was doing backup for Coco Montrese as far back as 2016 -- and doing competing in ballroom dancing prior to that,-- but now she's the main attraction. Something that will be interesting to see though is how Ru feels about him doing drag with his own hair as opposed to wigs.
Olivia Lux
This piano player is giving you Old Hollywood style and LOOKS when it comes to makeup. Also based in New York City, she's also the reigning Miss Paradise 2020 after sweeping every category in that regional competition.
Rose
Drag performers who sing live aren't the most common thing in the United States but that's why there's Rose. A member of New York City's Stephanie's Child drag-singing trio -- Jan from season 12 was as well -- she's also worked with Out on a few projects before.
Symone
She makes history as the first queen from Arkansas but she's ready to give you face and personality. And given that she's a part of the House of Avalon with Lizzo stylist Marko Monroe, who counts season 12's Gigi Goode as a close collaborator, she's likely to give you fashion as well.
Tina Burner
You guessed it, another New Yorker! A former boy band member and the reigning National Miss Comedy Queen 2019, Burner is ready to put on a show. She's also previously done work with Out.
Tamisha Iman
A long time dynasty, Tamisha comes from the old school of the art form. We're talking make your own garments out of scratch type of work. The Atlanta, Georgia staple has build her own dynasty in the Iman drag family and now she's bringing that to the Main Stage.
Utica Queen
Queen is ready to wiggle her way straight to the crown. Identifying as the wacky, wavy inflatable arm tube queen, Utica is hoping to take the world by storm with her own form of goofy, pop-art drag.
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Kahmora Hall
This Chicago queen is a Bob Mackie doll dripping in luxury. She has many Drag Race connections: she Is Soju's mother as well as a drag sister of Naysha Lopez and Dida Ritz.
Kandy Muse
This New Yorker is the first Dominican contestant of RuPaul's Drag Race. The "bad and bougie" star is also a former Brooklyn Drag Queen of the Year. She's also one of the most followed queens in the new cast and is a part of the House of Aja.
LaLa Ri
LaLa Ri is here to slay. This Atlanta-born powerhouse entertainer is ready to bring her mixture of sexy, classy and sassy to the competition, along with her charming and fun personality.
